Criteria

Institution is utilizing its infrastructure and operations for multidisciplinary student learning, applied research and practical work that advances sustainability on campus in at least one of the following areas:

Air & Climate

Buildings

Dining Services/Food

Energy

Grounds

Purchasing

Transportation

Waste

Water

Coordination, Planning & Governance

Diversity & Affordability

Health, Wellbeing & Work

Investment

Public Engagement

Other

This credit includes substantive work by students and/or faculty (e.g. class projects, thesis projects, term papers, published papers) that involves active and experiential learning and contributes to positive sustainability outcomes on campus (see the Credit Example in the STARS Technical Manual). On-campus internships and non-credit work (e.g. that take place under supervision of sustainability staff or committees) may count as long as the work has a learning component.

This credit does not include immersive education programs, co-curricular activities, or community-based work, which are covered by AC 5: Immersive Experience, credits in the Campus Engagement subcategory, and credits in the Public Engagement subcategory, respectively.

Applicability

This credit applies to all institutions where students attend the physical campus.

Scoring

Institutions earn 0.4 points for each area covered, regardless of how many projects there are in each area. Institutions with projects that cover 10 or more areas earn the maximum of 4 points available for this credit.

Measurement

Timeframe

Projects and work conducted within the three years prior to the anticipated date of submission are eligible for this credit.

Sampling and Data Standards

Not applicable

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE
staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution and complete the Data Inquiry Form.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System

(STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and
universities to measure their sustainability performance.